People turned out this morning to pay their respects to a much-loved member of the community who was found dead at her home in shocking circumstances. The funeral of Freda Walker, 86, took place at the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Shirebrook with husband Ken attending in a wheelchair as he recovers from injuries sustained in the same incident that took his beloved wife's life.
Mrs Walker was found dead in her house on Station Road, Langwith Junction, by a neighbour on Saturday, January 15, with her husband, Ken, left in a critical condition in hospital. Derbyshire police launched a murder investigation shortly afterwards as the community began to try and understood what happened to the popular couple, reports Derbyshire Live.
In the days following the incident, many tributes were paid to Mrs Walker and her husband, whose condition has since improved. This morning (Thurs, April 14) dozens of people came to pay their respects to Mrs Walker.
Read more: Man appears in court charged with murder in village
Some bowed their heads, standing in silence with a few gentlemen removing their hats as the hearse pulled up to Holy Trinity Parish Church in Shirebrook. Mrs Walker’s husband was greeted by Reverend Karen Bradley. Mr Walker was in a wheelchair, still recovering from his injuries sustained in the incident.
Addressing the congregation Rev Bradley said: "We gather here today to give Freda the send off she deserves and show how much she was loved. Freda loved dancing and would often go on a Saturday night, without Ken, in fact she often commented on the lack of men at the dancers, but Freda’s dancing wasn’t limited to a formal setting, she would often dance around the kitchen. Freda was an elegant woman who always carried herself well although she could get nervous in certain situations, she would always act with grace and warmth to those around her.”
There were many lovely tributes to Freda from friends who knew her for up to 50-years including one who said: “Freda was a lovely lady who would do anything for anyone and she’ll be incredibly missed by all of us who knew her.”
The impact of the incident on Station Road is still being felt in the Langwith Junction and Shirebrook communities some three months on: Once the funeral came to a close the family of Mrs Walker, led out of the church by her husband, an incredibly well-respected former councillor on Shirebrook Town Council, departed the church. The cortege made its way to Mansfield Crematorium for a private service there before those in attendance went to The Village Hall on Park Road for the wake.
Vasile Culea, 33, from Church Warsop in Nottinghamshire, appeared at Derby Crown Court on Friday, March 25, accused of murder and attempted murder. He was remanded in custody to appear again on October 4.
